1
as in shapes
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance
the wood-carver carved the block of wood into the form of a duck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in figures
a three-dimensional representation of the human body used especially for displaying clothes
put the dress on the form to finish pinning it together
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in rituals
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules
we'll use the second form in our church missals for today's Lenten service
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in methods
the means or procedure for doing something
there are established forms for voting on motions and amendments at meetings
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in physiques
the type of body that a person has
he has the big-boned form of a linebacker
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in formats
the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged
museumgoers liked the asymmetrical form of the mobile
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in crystallizes
to take on a definite form
my ideas on the subject are just starting to form
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in comprises
to be all the substance of
this one sentence really forms the basis of your argument
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in produces
to bring into being by combining, shaping, or transforming materials
formed the pot out of the clay
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in originates
to come into existence
the new company formed from two smaller ones
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in develops
to come to have gradually
I don't want you beginning skiers to form any bad habits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of forms
Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
About 15 minutes before game time in Tijuana, a line forms next to the Toros’ dugout, and Turner signs for fans in Dodgers caps and lucha libre masks.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
All sorts of stories, narratives, poems, novels, memos, and other forms of writing are scanned.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
For example, certain forms of retirement income and assets have strong federal protections attached to them, while others may be more vulnerable.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Over time, even catalog retailing gave way to newer forms of convenience.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Vatkin is represented by works in his signature style, where thick, layered brushstrokes, fragmented forms and a vivid use of color create a sense of motion and instability.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
Unlike most forms of hantavirus, which spread from rodents to humans, Andes is the only strain that is able to transmit from person to person, heightening fears about how outbreaks could unfold under the right conditions.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
Matter vaporized, mixed and cooled extremely quickly, rearranging into new forms.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
The move forms part of a broader pressure campaign that has included efforts to implement an oil blockade on the island since January, shortly after its ally and a key provider of oil, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, was seized in an audacious military operation.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 19 May 2026
This forms what Van de Peer calls the polyploidy paradox.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 19 May 2026
This mystery forms the crux of the film’s middle, even as surrealist scenes bring welcome tonal upheaval to the film’s last third.
—Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 19 May 2026
Creation of the Federal Film Commission Embratur forms part of the technical work group developing the Federal Film Commission, alongside six ministries and Brazil’s network of 30 local film commissions.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 18 May 2026
News outlets reported full sets listed for more than $25,000 on StockX, a dramatic premium against retail and a very clear sign of how quickly the aftermarket now forms around these launches.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Cook and stir until mixture forms a ball that does not separate.
—Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026
Tucked within the famous wildflower meadows of Paradise is a view of Mount Rainier (the national park is one of our favorite Seattle day trips) and the sprawling Nisqually Glacier that forms the volcano's south side.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
Noun
The last five millennia have typically seen a great diversity of co-existing political forms—sometimes overlapping and symbiotic, sometimes divided and incommensurable.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
About 15 minutes before game time in Tijuana, a line forms next to the Toros’ dugout, and Turner signs for fans in Dodgers caps and lucha libre masks.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
All sorts of stories, narratives, poems, novels, memos, and other forms of writing are scanned.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
For example, certain forms of retirement income and assets have strong federal protections attached to them, while others may be more vulnerable.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Over time, even catalog retailing gave way to newer forms of convenience.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Vatkin is represented by works in his signature style, where thick, layered brushstrokes, fragmented forms and a vivid use of color create a sense of motion and instability.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
Unlike most forms of hantavirus, which spread from rodents to humans, Andes is the only strain that is able to transmit from person to person, heightening fears about how outbreaks could unfold under the right conditions.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
Matter vaporized, mixed and cooled extremely quickly, rearranging into new forms.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
Verb
Ephemera forms the bridge where reader and book meet and begin to collaborate.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
The move forms part of a broader pressure campaign that has included efforts to implement an oil blockade on the island since January, shortly after its ally and a key provider of oil, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, was seized in an audacious military operation.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 19 May 2026
This forms what Van de Peer calls the polyploidy paradox.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 19 May 2026
This mystery forms the crux of the film’s middle, even as surrealist scenes bring welcome tonal upheaval to the film’s last third.
—Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 19 May 2026
Creation of the Federal Film Commission Embratur forms part of the technical work group developing the Federal Film Commission, alongside six ministries and Brazil’s network of 30 local film commissions.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 18 May 2026
News outlets reported full sets listed for more than $25,000 on StockX, a dramatic premium against retail and a very clear sign of how quickly the aftermarket now forms around these launches.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Cook and stir until mixture forms a ball that does not separate.
—Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026
Tucked within the famous wildflower meadows of Paradise is a view of Mount Rainier (the national park is one of our favorite Seattle day trips) and the sprawling Nisqually Glacier that forms the volcano's south side.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forms
Noun
-
These tawny shapes look otherworldly, particularly when midday light beams shine through.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
-
The company still sells its classic animal crackers today, featuring shapes such as elephants, lions, camels, bears and tigers.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The project is expected to cost $100 million, according to documents prepared by DURA.—
Thomas Gounley,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
-
The posting involves 158 files — documents, photos and videos from NASA, the FBI, Defense Department, and State Department.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Kofman’s article chronicles the path of such ideas from the fringes to the mainstream, outlining their influence on figures such as Peter Thiel, Stephen Miller, and Elon Musk.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
-
State Department figures show 6,066 — or 99% — of the refugees were from South Africa, while the other three hailed from Afghanistan.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Critics also felt the depiction of the 'Guryu Myeonryugwan' crown (a traditional royal headpiece historically associated with vassal state rituals) was incorrect.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Much of the film is set in and around a Parisian elder-care facility, and Hamaguchi guides us through its rooms and hallways, its meetings and rituals, with a patience and passionate granularity worthy of the late documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The company defended its harvesting methods at the time, claiming the tomatoes are grown in the right region and with the right techniques.—
Itzel Luna,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
If the methods are flawed, publish the caveats.—
A.J. Russo,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Then these same superhero physiques appeared in rom-coms and dramas as regular-degular guys, muscles included.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
13 May 2026
-
The trend also comes at a time when weight-loss medications are on the rise, more ultra-thin physiques appear to dominate red carpets and some social media users have built platforms off the outward pursuit of thinness.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As on-set conflict between Emilia and Esteban escalates, Sorogoyen begins to mix digital film, 35 mm, 16 mm and 8 mm, widescreen and box formats, color and black and white.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
16 May 2026
-
The trend is also showing up in more polished drink formats.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Corgan, The Smashing Pumpkins frontman, gives an answer here that crystallizes one of baseball’s many charms.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Prior research into the shooter and his family combined with the new report crystalizes a picture of extremism, said Rachel Carroll Rivas, deputy director of research at the Southern Poverty Law Center.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forms. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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